Expanding Capella Hotel Group Appoints Four new GMs
Clockwise from left: Anthony Gill, Hildegard Anzenberger, Antonio Saponara, Dennis Laubenstein
12 Dec 2024
Capella Hotel Group has announced four new general manager appointments as the Singapore-based chain, owned by Pontiac Land, expands in Asia and globally:
Anthony Gill, general manager, Patina Maldives
With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, Gill has successfully rebranded luxury properties, including the Four Seasons Resort Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam and brings expertise from managing Four Seasons properties in China and Thailand. His dynamic leadership and rich background in international F&B management positions him to guide Patina Maldives into a new era as “a transformative luxury destination”, creating meaningful experiences in harmony with the island as a marine sanctuary.
Dennis Laubenstein, general manager, Capella Taipei (opening 1Q25)
A Capella veteran with over a decade of experience at Capella Singapore, Capella Tufu Bay and, most recently, as the general manager of Capella Hanoi, Laubenstein is known for creating unique guest experiences inspired by local culture and innovative touch points. He was instrumental in establishing Capella Hanoi’s first Michelin-starred restaurant and positioning the hotel’s cocktail bar, The Hudson Rooms, among Asia’s 100 Best Bars in 2024. He continues to champion dining excellence, with plans to elevate Capella Taipei’s extraordinary culinary offerings.
Antonio Saponara, general manager, Capella Bangkok
Saponara moves to Capella Bangkok from his tenure as general manager at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, where he built a motivated, high-performing team and a culture of exceptional service. He has been pivotal in implementing innovative sustainable practices. He deepened Patina Maldives’ local community connections, blending international expertise with local talent. His leadership at Patina Maldives and previously at Bulgari Hotels & Resorts in Moscow and Beijing, and Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai, ensures a seamless continued path of success for Capella Bangkok, which was recently named the World’s Best Hotel and Asia’s Best Hotel by World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024.
Hildegard Anzenberger, general manager, Capella Hanoi
Anzenberger joins Capella from The Langham, in Hefei, China. Known for her strategic vision, Hildegard has also championed sustainability and innovation initiatives and achieved high guest satisfaction and operational efficiency throughout her career. With a focus on staff development and a commitment to collaborative culture, she has earned industry accolades including the Food and Beverage Stelliers Award in 2017.
So how to find good GM? First, ensure that they match the brand’s values. For Capella, for instance, a passion for sustainability and culinary excellence is critical.
As Cristiano Rinaldi, president, Capella Hotel Group, said, “Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective that we value greatly and a proven track record of innovation, from championing sustainability and elevating culinary offerings to redefining guest experiences. Their collective expertise will propel our Capella and Patina brands even further, realizing our shared vision of transforming each destination into the most bespoke or transformative journey for every guest that we welcome through our doors.”
Read the article on Capella Hotel Group’s expansion here.